A Comparative Study of Intrathecal Clonidine with Hyperbaric Bupivacaine Administered As A Mixture

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A Comparative Study of Intrathecal Clonidine with Hyperbaric Bupivacaine Administered As A Mixture

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Context: Adjuvants and hyperbaric bupivacaine are mixed in a single syringe before injecting the drugs intrathecally. Their densities may be altered by mixing them in a single syringe, thus affecting their spread. Administering local anesthetic and the adjuvant separately minimizes the effect of changes in densities. Aims: To compare efficacy of intrathecal clonidine with hyperbaric bupivacaine administered as a mixture and sequentially and to assess the onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade and postoperative analgesia. Settings and Design: Group M received mixture of clonidine (75 mcg) and hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (10 mg) and Group S received clonidine (75 mcg) followed by hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (10 mg) through separate syringes. Materials and Methods: 60 full term parturients of elective cesarean section were divided into two groups based on the technique of intrathecal drug administration. Statistical analysis used: Quantitative data was analyzed by student’s ‘t’ test and qualitative data was analyzed by Chi-square test. Results: Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group S (474.33 ± 20.79 min) than in Group M (337 ± 18.22 min). The time to achieve highest sensory block and complete motor block was significantly less in Group S. Conclusions: When clonidine and hyperbaric bupivacaine were administered in a sequential manner, block characteristics improved significantly compared to the administration of the mixture of the two drugs.

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